Wildlife Wednesday – Flyin’ High

You remember that a few weeks ago, Older Daughter’s husband noticed a struggling buzzard below the bluff near the river.  I did a raging post about this buzzard because it was dragging around a steel-jaw leghold trap, making it impossible for this bird to fly.  Older Daughter and her husband were able to remove the trap from the bird’s leg but the foot was severed.  With proper treatment and lots of healthy food, the buzzard recovered nicely.  A buzzard can do very well in the wild with only one foot.  The hope was that there would be a full recovery and the buzzard could be released.  And that hope was fulfilled.

 

 

 

Look closely! Our buzzard is joining two others.

 

Older Daughter and her husband took some real joy in this release.

 

Now for some updates on the babies that flooded into Wild Angels only a little over a week ago.

There were five bunnies, three raccoons, and two opossums.  It’s nearly impossible to keep baby bunnies alive since they desperately need their mother’s milk.  But of the five that came in, four survived.   They need to be released as early as possible so they can begin to eat a rabbit’s diet.  After transitioning these babies to various grasses (Older Daughter picked a baggie full three times a day), these babies were ready for the great outdoors.

 

three of the four survivors

 

 

 

already nibbling

 

 

The three little raccoons are doing really well.  No issues at this time.  Raccoon kits stay babies much longer than baby bunnies.  They will be in Older’s  care for quite a while.

 

 

Finally, the two little baby opossums arrived in pretty bad shape.  But they have survived so far and are actually beginning to do better. 

 

 

 

 

With that buzzard back in the skies and the baby bunnies hopping around in Older Daughter’s yard, it’s a good day.  I’ll keep you posted on the baby raccoons and the baby opossums.

 

Comments

[Ginny & the Fur Family]

All baby creatures are so sweet. Older daughter did a great job keeping most of the bunnies and possums alive and it is a thrill to see the buzzard flying high and being joined by friends. Those metal traps must go. Called everyone we knew in conservation to protest them. Please everyone out there do the same. God bless older and her wonderful work. Our daughter has a house right in the midst of a wet land so we are aware of those mean folks who set traps. Shame on them. I wish them a bad afterlife.

[meowmeowmans]

That is so awesome. Hooray for that buzzard (and its friends)!

[Andrea and the Celestial Kitties]

Awesome!!! So happy for the releases! And for the ongoing rehab of the others! Your daughter rocks!
Remember friends, she has no funding to care for the wild babies so if you can go to the wild angels Facebook page and donate! Thank you!

[Maria in FL]

Bravo, Older Daughter! What amazing work she does!! These babies are all adorable, and thankfully have survived because of her hard work and dedication.

[John Bellen]

Your daughter works wonders.